Remembering the life of ‘Mrs. No. 1’

Minnie McCrary, popular teacher, remembered for work in classroom and community

BY JAMES HARPERDAYTONA TIMES

Although Minnie McCrary distinguished herself as a popular teacher at several Volusia County Schools, many in the area called her “Mrs. No. 1.’’

Minnie and Earl McCrary worked diligently to improve the lives of children in Volusia County.

She was married to former Volusia County School Board member Earl McCrary, who before being elected to that post was a popular principal at Campbell Junior High. He was known for referring to all his students as “No. 1.” They, in return, called him “No. 1.’’

“I knew Mrs. McCrary from the time that I spent at Campbell Middle and the years after. She was our original “Michelle Obama.” The way that she supported Mr. McCrary, the staff and faculty, the students, and especially the community was unlike any other. She was a ‘Mother’ to all and will greatly be missed,” said Tommy Huger, who works for the City of Daytona Beach as its facilities manager.

NAACP life member
Daytona Beach NAACP President Cynthia Slater remembered Mrs. McCrary as a staunch supporter of the NAACP.

“She was a life member of the NAACP and was very active in the community. Like her husband, the late Earl McCrary, she always worked to improve the lives of children within the Volusia County School system. She will indeed be missed,” Slater added.

A celebration of Mrs. McCrary’s life was held Sept. 29 at Allen Chapel AME Church in Daytona Beach. She died peacefully at home on Sept. 24 at age 79.

Met spouse at FAMU
She was born to the late Herman J. Broxton, Sr. and Theresa Broxton in Gifford on Aug. 21, 1933, the youngest of six children. Her parents also were public school teachers.

Mrs. McCrary met her husband, Earl, who preceded her in death in 2007 while they were students at Florida A&M University. They made their home in Daytona Beach. Two sons and a daughter were born to this union. They were married for 53 years.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education while at FAMU and later a master’s from Nova University.

Mrs. McCrary began her teaching career in DeLand at Starke Elementary School as a kindergarten teacher.

She would later teach both kindergarten and first grade at Volusia Avenue and Highland Elementary Schools. Her career spanned 32 years.

Community involvement
She has been an active member of Allen Chapel for 55 years.

Her family noted in her obituary that “her crowning achievement at her beloved church came a few years ago when she and two others were named as deaconesses.”

In addition to being a member of the NAACP, McCrary was part of the Pilot Club and the Order of the Eastern Star. She served along with her husband as a director of the Black Achievers, an organization they helped to organize through the Daytona Beach YMCA.